US7215554B2

Pluggable video module

Summary by NHIP

Pluggable video module with keyed slot

The pluggable video module secures within a host device via a front locking mechanism and rear electrical connector. A bottom key slot near the back features three coplanar edges to align with a host key tab, while the front optical port accepts duplex, simplex, or dual transmit/receive connectors.

Claim Score by NHIP

Read claim 24, the broadest

Abstract

A pluggable video module (PVM) having a housing with a top, a bottom, a front and a back; a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the module for securing the module within a host device; an electrical connector proximate the back of the module for electrically connecting the module to a host device; an optical connector proximate the front of the module for receiving an optical connector; and a key slot on the bottom and proximate the rear of the module for receiving a key tab from a host device, thereby allowing the module to be inserted into a host receptacle having a key tab.

US7215554B2, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 13

Term

Term ended

Expired 29 May 2024, 2.3 years ago.

30 claims: 9 independent, 21 dependent

1
A pluggable video module (PVM) comprising:a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the PVM for securing the PVM within a host device;an electrical connector proximate the back of the PVM for electrically connecting the PVM to the host device;an optical connector proximate the front of the PVM for receiving a second optical connector;and a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM for receiving a key tab from the host device, and thereby allowing the PVM to be inserted into a host receptacle of the host device having the key tab, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane.
14
A pluggable video module (PVM) comprising:a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the PVM for securing the PVM within a host device;an electrical connector proximate the back of the PVM for electrically connecting the PVM to the host device;an electrical connector proximate the front of the PVM for receiving a third electrical connector;and a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM for receiving a key tab from the host device, and thereby allowing the PVM to be inserted into a host receptacle of the host device having the key tab, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane.
24
Broadest claimClaim Score 71, broad(NHIP)A pluggable video module (PVM) assembly comprising:a cage for receiving a pluggable video module (PVM);a key tab extending beyond an inside surface on a bottom of the cage, whereby the key tab is formed by raising a cut out portion of the cage towards an inside of the cage;the PVM having a housing including a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;and a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM sized for receiving the key tab in the cage, and thereby allowing the PVM to be installed into the cage, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane.
25
A pluggable video module (PVM) comprising:a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the PVM for securing the PVM within a host device;an electrical connector proximate the back of the PVM for electrically connecting the PVM to the host device;an optical connector proximate the front of the PVM;a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM for receiving a key tab from the host device, and thereby allowing the PVM to be installed into a host receptacle of the host device having the key tab, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane;and pathological circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with digital video signals.
26
A pluggable video module (PVM) comprising:a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the PVM for securing the PVM within a host device;an electrical connector proximate the back of the PVM for electrically connecting the PVM to the host device;an electrical connector proximate the front of the PVM for receiving a second electrical connector;a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM for receiving a key tab from the host device, and thereby allowing the PVM to be installed into a host receptacle of the host device having the key tab, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane;and pathological circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with digital video signals.
27
A pluggable video module (PVM) comprising:a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the PVM for securing the PVM within a host device;an electrical connector proximate the back of the PVM for electrically connecting the PVM to the host device;an optical connector proximate the front of the PVM for receiving a second optical connector;a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM for receiving a key tab from the host device, and thereby allowing the PVM to be inserted into a host receptacle of the host device having the key tab, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane;and pathological circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with digital video signals, and wherein the pathological circuitry includes a capacitor having a value of 4.7 uF.
28
A pluggable video module (PVM) comprising:a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a locking and release mechanism proximate the front of the PVM for securing the PVM within a host device;an electrical connector proximate the back of the PVM for electrically connecting the PVM to the host device;an electrical connector proximate the front of the PVM for receiving a third electrical connector;a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM for receiving a key tab from the host device, and thereby allowing the PVM to be inserted into a host receptacle of the host device having the key tab, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane;and pathological circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with digital video signals, and wherein the pathological circuitry includes a capacitor having a value of 4.7 uF.
29
A pluggable video module (PVM) assembly comprising:a cage for receiving a pluggable video module (PVM);a key tab extending beyond an inside surface on a bottom of the cage, whereby the key tab is formed by raising a cut out portion of the cage towards an inside of the cage;the PVM having a housing including a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM sized for receiving the key tab in the cage, and thereby allowing the PVM to be installed into the cage, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane;and the PVM having pathological circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with digital video signals, and wherein the pathological circuitry includes a capacitor having a value of 4.7 uF.
30
A pluggable video module (PVM) assembly comprising:a cage for receiving a pluggable video module (PVM);a key tab extending beyond an inside surface on a bottom of the cage, whereby the key tab is formed by raising a cut out portion of the cage towards an inside of the cage;the PVM having a housing including a top, a bottom, a front, and a back;a key slot on the bottom and proximate the back of the PVM sized for receiving the key tab in the cage, and thereby allowing the PVM to be installed into the cage, and wherein the key slot has three edges, and wherein the three edges of the key slot form a plane;and the PVM having pathological circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with digital video signals.

Independent claims9

46 paragraphs in 5 sections, as filed

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates generally to pluggable converter module subassemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to pluggable electrical/optical converter modules configured to interface with video systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0002Pluggable converter modules, such as optoelectronic transceiver modules, are well-known in the computer industry. Conventional optoelectronic transceiver modules are utilized to interconnect circuit cards of communication links and other electronic modules or other subassemblies. Optoelectronic transceiver modules are designed to receive electrical data signals and retransmit these signals as optical signals, and vice versa. Various international and industry standards define the type of connectors used to interface computers to external communication devices, such as modems, network interfaces, and other transceivers. It is desirable to make transceiver modules pluggable so the modules can be easily replaced. It is also desirable to miniaturize transceiver modules in order to increase the port density associated with the network connection (switch boxes, cabling patch panels, wiring closets, computer I/O, etc.).

0003Numerous standards are known that define form factors for miniaturized electronic devices, such as the Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) standard that specifies an enclosure 9.8 millimeters in height, 13.5 millimeters in width, and a minimum of 20 electrical input/output connections. The specific standards for SFP transceivers are set forth in the “Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) Transceiver Multisource Agreement (MSA),” dated Sep. 14, 2000, which Applicants hereby incorporate by reference. Patents identified by issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,570,768, 5,879,173, 5,864,468, 5,734,558, 5,717,533, and U.S. Pat. No. Re 36,820, which were originally assigned to Methode Electronics, Inc, and are now assigned to Stratos Lightwave, both located in Chicago, Ill., disclose improvements to pluggable transceiver modules. Applicants hereby incorporate by reference U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,570,768, 5,879,173, 5,864,468, 5,734,558, 5,717,533, and Re 36,820.

0004Due to current designs and specifications, conventional optoelectronic transceiver modules are not compatible with video circuitry or connectors. For example, video subassemblies typically require different connectors, such as ST or BNC connectors. Moreover, video subassemblies commonly utilize unidirectional signals, and thus do not always require a bidirectional signal interface as provided by transceiver modules. Furthermore, a conventional transceiver module can only be installed into a host device specifically designed to receive that specific transceiver module.

0005Additionally, a video signal typically includes pathological problems, which a conventional transceiver module would be unable to accommodate. Most transmitters in optical modules have an automatic power control (APC) circuit that keeps the optical power output at a set level. These circuits assume incoming data will have a constant average duty cycle of about 50% over a period of time. Such a time period is usually in the range of 1 millisecond (ms). Since the pathological condition may last for about 50 ms, the laser driver of the optical transmitter would be adjusted too high or too low, depending upon the duty cycle of the signal. A detailed explanation of “Pathological Conditions in Serial Digital Video Systems” can be found in the publication having said title by SMPTE Engineering Guideline, Number EG 34-1999, by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers approved and published Jan. 15, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

0006Accordingly, there is a need for a small, pluggable optical/electrical interface module that has the advantage of a conventional, pluggable, optical/electrical transceiver module, but in addition, the module is compatible with video circuitry and numerous video connector interfaces.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0007An object of the present invention is to provide a pluggable optical/electrical interface module that is compatible with video signals.

0008Another object of the present invention is to provide a pluggable optical/electrical module interface that is dummy proof in order to prevent inserting a conventional transceiver module into a video signal interface, host device, or cage.

0009A further object of the present invention is to provide a pluggable video module interface that is interchangeable with numerous pluggable video modules having different configurations.

0010An additional object of the present invention is to provide a pluggable video module having multiple transmit or receive interfaces.

0011Another object of the present invention is to provide a pluggable video module capable of handling pathological conditions typically associated with video signals.

0012A further object of the present invention is to provide a pluggable video module having variable video connector interfaces.

0013Accordingly, the present invention provides a pluggable converter module for receiving electrical video signals having a housing with a top, a bottom, a front and a back; a locking and release mechanism proximate to the front of the module for securing the module within a host device; an electrical connector proximate to the back of the module for electrically connecting the module to a host device; an optical connector proximate the front of the module for receiving an optical connector; and a key slot on the bottom and proximate to the rear of the module for receiving a key tab from a cage, thereby allowing the module to be inserted into a cage having a key tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a perspective view of the top of a pluggable video module (PVM) configured in accordance with the present invention;

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a perspective view of the bottom of the pluggable video module (PVM) shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a perspective view of the top of a cage configured in accordance with the present invention and the pluggable video module (PVM) shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>;

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a perspective view of the bottom of the cage and the pluggable video module (PVM) shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>;

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an enlarged perspective view of the cage shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>;

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is a perspective view of the top of a pluggable video module (PVM) configured in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> is a perspective view of the bottom of the pluggable video module (PVM) shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>;

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a perspective view of numerous pluggable video modules (PVMs) configured in accordance with additional embodiments of the present invention;

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> is a top and a bottom view of a circuit board configured in accordance with the present invention;

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a pin connector diagram for a socket of a host device configured in accordance with the present invention;

0024<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11</figref>a–11c are exploded views of a socket, and the cage and printed circuit board shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>; and

0025<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a circuit diagram of a power control circuit configured in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

0026Referring now to the drawings, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1–4</figref> show a pluggable video module (PVM) 10 configured in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The pluggable video module (PVM) 10 includes a top 11, bottom 13, front 14, and back 16. A release lever or bail 12 is located at the front 14 of the PVM 10 for releasing the PVM 10 from a host device or cage. The back 16 of the PVM 10 is to be plugged into a host receptacle or a cage 18 (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3–5</figref>). A printed circuit board (PCB) 20 is exposed at the back 16. The PCB 20 includes contact traces 21 of a male portion of a card edge connector, or a male portion of a ribbon connector for mating with socket of a host device, such as a connector mechanically identical to the commonly used MSA SFP connector. The PVM 10 includes optical ports 25 and 27, which are configured to receive LC optical connectors, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. In other embodiments of the present invention the front 14 of the PVM 10 can include electrical connectors instead of optical connectors. Electrical contacts 17 on the surface of the housing 29 of the PVM 10 form an electrical connection with the cage 18 upon insertion of the PVM 10 into the cage 18. The electrical contacts 17 typically provide a grounding connection between the PVM 10 and the cage 18.

0027In accordance with the present invention, the optical connectors 25 and 27 are both transmit (TX) ports, or both receive (RX) ports. Video systems commonly utilize multiple unidirectional signal lines that are all transmit (TX) or receive (RX) ports. By configuring the PVM 10 to be a Dual TX module or a Dual RX module, the present invention enables a pluggable module to provide twice the signal channel capacity per module. Of course, the PVM 10 can also be configured to be a transceiver having a TX port and a RX port on the front 14 of the PVM 10.

0028The bottom 13 of the PVM 10 includes a tab 26 that extends beyond the planer surface of the bottom 13. The surface of the tab 26 is inclined upwards towards the front 14. The tab 26 is preferably triangular in shape. During insertion of the PVM 10 into the cage 18, the tab 26 slides under a bendable portion 19 of the host cage 18, and into a slot 41 on the cage 18 in order to lock the module 10 within a host cage or receptacle 18.

0029In order to remove the module 10 from the host receptacle 18, a slidably mounted member or wedge 28 on the PVM 10 slides under a lip 23 of the bendable portion 19 on the cage 18. The member 28 separates the tab 26 from within the slot 41 in the cage 18, thus unlocking the PVM 10 from the cage 18.

0030The wedge or slidable member 28 is driven towards the tab 26 by rotating a free end 31 of the bail 12 outwards, away from the front 14 of the PVM 10. The free end 31 may include a roller 33 on the bail 12 to facilitate rotation of the bail 12 by an operator. The roller 33 may also function to identity a specific module configuration by the color of the roller 33. The bail 12 includes a bump, bend, notch, or similar type of extension 30 on the rotatably mounted portion 32 of the bail 12. As the bail 12 rotates outward away from the face 38 of the PVM 10, the extension 30 is rotated, and force is applied to an actuation surface 34 on the member 28, thus driving the member 28 towards the tab 26. Inclined portions 36 on the member 28 fit under the lip 23 of the bendable portion 19 of the host device 18, separating the tab 26 from within the slot 41 in the cage 18, and thus releasing the module 10 from the cage 18.

0031After the free end 31 of the bail 12 is rotated outward away from the face 38 of the PVM 10, which drives the member or wedge 28 towards the tab 26, the exposed free end 31 can be used as a handle by an operator to manually pull out the PVM 10 from within the cage 18. The outwardly rotated bail 12 functions as a handle to enable the PVM 10 to be removed, even if a spring release mechanism of the host device fails.

0032In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the PVM 10 includes a key slot or key notch 40 in the bottom 13, and the host device or cage 18 includes a key tab 42. In this manner, the cage 18 is “dummy proof,” meaning only a module having the correct key slot 40 can be inserted into the cage 18. For example, a conventional SFP transceiver module, which does not have a key slot 40, cannot be inserted into a cage 18 having a key tab 42. The back of a conventional transceiver module would impact the key tab 42 during insertion into the cage 18, thus preventing the conventional transceiver module from being installed by not being inserted all the way into the cage 18. The key slot 40 has three edges which form a plane. The first edge of the three edges of the key slot 40 intersects the second edge of the three edges of the key slot 40 at a right angle, and the second edge of the three edges of the key slot 40 intersect the third edge of the three edges of the key slot 40 at a right angle, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 2 and 4</figref>.

0033<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an enlarged perspective view of the cage 18 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 and 4</figref>. In accordance with the present invention, the cage 18 includes the key tab 42, which is clearly shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>. The key tab 42 is preferably formed in the cage 18 by raising a cut out portion of the cage 18 towards the inside of the cage 18.

0034In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the module 10 can be configured to be a transceiver, a dual transmitter (TX), a dual receiver (RX), a single transmitter (TX), or a single receiver (RX), each having variable types of connecters on the opposing end of the module, and wherein an electrical connector in the cage is electrically configured to receive any of these module configurations interchangeably. A more detailed explanation of the electrical connections between the PVM 10 and a host device will be discussed in regard to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9–10</figref>.

0035Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6 and 7</figref>, another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Pluggable video module (PVM) 50 is shown having an optical ST connector 52 at the front 54 of the PVM 50. Electrical contacts 56 are included on the top 58 and sides 60 of the PVM 50. The electrical contacts 56 form an electrical connection with a cage upon insertion of the module 50 into the cage or host device. The electrical contacts 56 typically provide a grounding connection between the PVM 50 and a host device.

0036<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> illustrates a release lever 62 that functions as a locking and release mechanism. The release lever 62, comprising a foot 64, a lever 66, and a wedge 68, is attached to the bottom 70 of the module 50. An internal end of the wedge 68 includes an incline 72. This incline 72 functions to facilitate the wedge 68 sliding under the lip 23 of the bendable portion 19 of the cage 18 in order to separate and remove the locking tab 74 from inside the slot 41 of the cage 18.

0037In accordance with the present invention, a key slot 78 is formed in the bottom 70 of the PVM 50. Similar to the key slot 40 in PVM 10, the key slot 78 in PVM 50 is sized to receive the key tab 42 of cage 18. In this manner, only a module configured in accordance with the present invention can be installed within the cage 18.

0038Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, the module 50 can be configured to be an optical transmitter or an optical receiver, wherein the cage 18 is electrically configured to receive either of these devices interchangeably.

0039<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> illustrates a few of the potential interchangeable module configurations provided by the present invention. A host device 80 is shown including a face plate or bezel 81, a printed circuit board 82, and the cage 18. Numerous configurations of pluggable video modules (PVMs) are shown, wherein all the different module configurations are capable of being installed into the same port 84 of cage 18. The different pluggable module configurations include a Duplex LC 86, a Dual TX LC 88, a Dual RX LC 90, a Simplex TX ST 92, a Simplex RX ST 94, a Simplex TX Mini-BNC 96, and a Simplex RX Mini-BNC 98. The different modules are shown as examples, and the invention is not to be construed as being limited to these configurations. Furthermore, it should also be clear that the present invention includes both optical module configurations (i.e, LC and ST) and electrical module configurations (i.e, Mini-BNC).

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> illustrates the top side 102 and the bottom side 104 of the printed circuit board (PCB) 20 configured in accordance with the present invention. The contract traces 21 on the bottom 104 of the PCB 20 were originally shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>. Contract traces 43 on the top of the PCB 20 are also illustrated.

0041In accordance with the present invention, the layout, length, and pin assignment of the contract traces 21 and 43 are the same for each of the different module configurations shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. In this manner, a cage of a host device configured in accordance with the present invention is capable of receiving and functioning properly with any module configuration having a pin assignment in accordance with the present invention.

0042<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> is a diagram of the pin connections for a socket 140 (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11</figref>a–c) of a host device connector configured in accordance with the present invention. This configuration enables a host device to accommodate, via a single port, either an optical transceiver module, an electrical transceiver module, an optical dual TX module, an optical dual RX module, an electrical simplex TX module, or an electrical simplex RX module. As illustrated in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, if the module is a dual TX module (optical or electrical), pins 18 and 19 correspond to a first TX channel, and pins 8 and 9 correspond to a second TX channel. If the module is a dual RX (optical or electrical), pins 12 and 13 correspond to the first RX channel, and pins 2 and 3 correspond to a second RX channel. If the module is a transceiver (optical or electrical), then the transceiver will utilize one of the TX channels and one of the RX channels.

0043<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11</figref>a–11c are exploded views of the cage 18 and printed circuit board 82 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>a shows a top piece 18a and a bottom piece 18b of the cage 18. The cage 18 is mounted to the printed circuit board 82. A SFP socket 140 configured in accordance with the present invention is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 11</figref>a–11c. The internal contacts 142, 144 of the SFP socket 140 correspond to the pin or contact layout shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. Contacts or pins 142 on the bottom of the socket 140 correspond to pins or contacts identified by numbers 1–10 shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>. Pins or contacts 144 on the top of the socket 140 correspond to pins or contacts identified by numbers 11–20 in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>.

0044In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, PCB 20 includes circuitry for handling pathological conditions associated with video signals, as illustrated by block diagram 120 in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. A module configured in accordance with the present invention includes a pathological condition automatic power control (PC-APC) circuit 120 having a time constant that has been increased so it is less affected by the long string of 1's or 0's associated with a pathological condition of a video signal. For example, during a string of zero's, the power control loop of a conventional module will not react quickly enough to increase the drive current. Slowing down the power control loop is achieved by increasing the value of the loop capacitor in the automatic power control (APC) circuit.

0045<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> is a circuit diagram of the pathological condition automatic power control (PC-APC) circuit shown 120 in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>. In accordance with the present invention, the loop capacitor 124 of the PC-APC 120 was increased to 4.7 uF, and the input AC coupling capacitors 126, 128 were increased to 4.7 uF to accommodate the low frequency of a pathological pattern. Similarly, conventional optical receivers use AC coupled amplifiers with time constants in the range of 1 ms. This means they will not have an adequate low-frequency response to properly handle a long run of a high- or low-duty cycle signal. Thus, in accordance with the present invention, the transimpedance amplifier 130 was chosen for its low frequency extension, the post amplifier 132 was chosen for its low frequency extension, and the output AC coupling capacitors 134, 136 were increased to 4.7 uF, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>.

0046It is to be understood that the foregoing description is merely a disclosure of particular embodiments and is no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Several possible alterations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Contents5

Every citation, both ways

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SMPTE Engineering Guideline (EG34-1999) Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers Approved Jan. 15, 1999.	Non-patent	–	Third party observation
Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) Transceiver MultiSource Agreement (MSA) Dated: Sep. 14, 2000.	Non-patent	–	Third party observation
Miranda Technologies, Inc., Product Brochure, 3 pages thereof, date unknown.	Non-patent	–	Third party observation
SMPTE Engineering Guideline (EG34-1999) Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers Approved Jan. 15, 1999.	Non-patent	–	Applicant
Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP) Transceiver MultiSource Agreement (MSA) Dated: Sep. 14, 2000.	Non-patent	–	Applicant
Miranda Technologies, Inc., Product Brochure, 3 pages thereof, date unknown.	Non-patent	–	Applicant

4 members in 1 office

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim

Priority claims2

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
64644103	United States of America	A	2003-08-24
US20030646441	–	–	–

Members4

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
US2005041407A1	United States of America	A1	2005-02-24
US2005245109A1	United States of America	A1	2005-11-03
US7215554B2This record	United States of America	B2	2007-05-08
US7307847B2	United States of America	B2	2007-12-11

58 transactions on the USPTO file

Allowed after 2 non-final rejections, 1 final rejection and 2 RCEs.

Non-final rejections: 2
Final rejections: 1
RCEs: 2
Appeals: 0

Over time

Point at a mark for the transaction

Transactions

Prosecution transactions, newest first
	Event	Code
2019-06-10	Expire PatentEXP.	EXP.
2018-12-24	Maintenance Fee Reminder MailedREM.	REM.
2007-05-08	Recordation of Patent Grant MailedPGM/	PGM/
2007-05-08	Patent Issue Date Used in PTA CalculationAllowedPTAC	PTAC
2007-04-18	Issue Notification MailedAllowedWPIR	WPIR
2007-04-04	Dispatch to FDCD1935	D1935
2007-04-03	Application Is Considered Ready for IssuePILS	PILS
2007-04-03	Correspondence Address ChangeC.AD	C.AD
2007-03-29	Issue Fee Payment VerifiedN084	N084
2007-03-29	Issue Fee Payment ReceivedIFEE	IFEE
2007-03-14	Mail Notice of AllowanceAllowedMN/=.	MN/=.
2007-03-13	Notice of Allowance Data Verification CompletedAllowedN/=.	N/=.
2007-03-13	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2007-02-20	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2006-10-24	Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX	FWDX
2006-10-24	Disposal for a RCE / CPA / R129AbandonedABN9	ABN9
2006-10-16	Information Disclosure Statement consideredIDSC	IDSC
2006-10-16	Reference capture on IDSRCAP	RCAP
2006-10-16	Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledM844	M844
2006-10-16	Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledWIDS	WIDS
2006-10-16	Request for Continued Examination (RCE)RCEX	RCEX
2006-10-16	Workflow - Request for RCE - BeginBRCE	BRCE
2006-10-05	Mail Notice of AllowanceAllowedMN/=.	MN/=.
2006-10-04	Notice of Allowance Data Verification CompletedAllowedN/=.	N/=.
2006-07-06	Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX	FWDX
2006-06-23	Response after Non-Final ActionA...	A...
2006-05-30	Mail Non-Final RejectionNon-final rejectionMCTNF	MCTNF
2006-05-26	Non-Final RejectionNon-final rejectionCTNF	CTNF
2006-03-27	Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX	FWDX
2006-03-27	Disposal for a RCE / CPA / R129AbandonedABN9	ABN9
2006-03-16	Request for Continued Examination (RCE)RCEX	RCEX
2006-03-16	Miscellaneous Incoming LetterLET.	LET.
2006-03-16	Request for Extension of Time - GrantedXT/G	XT/G
2006-03-16	Workflow - Request for RCE - BeginBRCE	BRCE
2006-03-08	Mail Advisory Action (PTOL - 303)MCTAV	MCTAV
2006-03-06	Advisory Action (PTOL-303)CTAV	CTAV
2006-02-08	Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX	FWDX
2006-02-03	Response after Final ActionA.NE	A.NE
2005-11-16	Mail Final Rejection (PTOL - 326)Final rejectionMCTFR	MCTFR
2005-11-14	Final RejectionFinal rejectionCTFR	CTFR
2005-10-09	Date Forwarded to ExaminerFWDX	FWDX
2005-10-03	Response after Non-Final ActionA...	A...
2005-08-01	Mail Non-Final RejectionNon-final rejectionMCTNF	MCTNF
2005-07-30	Non-Final RejectionNon-final rejectionCTNF	CTNF
2005-06-27	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2004-12-15	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2004-05-24	IFW TSS Processing by Tech Center CompleteTSSCOMP	TSSCOMP
2004-05-24	Case Docketed to Examiner in GAUDOCK	DOCK
2003-12-10	Application Return from OIPEWROIPE	WROIPE
2003-12-10	Application Return TO OIPEROIPE	ROIPE
2003-12-10	Application Is Now CompleteCOMP	COMP
2003-12-09	Application Dispatched from OIPEOIPE	OIPE
2003-11-07	Cleared by OIPE CSRL194	L194
2003-09-17	IFW Scan & PACR Auto Security ReviewSCAN	SCAN
2003-08-24	Reference capture on IDSRCAP	RCAP
2003-08-24	Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledM844	M844
2003-08-24	Information Disclosure Statement (IDS) FiledWIDS	WIDS
2003-08-24	Initial Exam Team nnIEXX	IEXX

10 legal events, as the office reported them to INPADOC

Over the term

Point at a mark for the event

Events

Legal events, newest first
	Event	Code
2019-07-02	Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance feeLapsedFP	FP
2019-06-10	Lapse for failure to pay maintenance feesLapsedPATENT EXPIRED FOR FAILURE TO PAY MAINTENANCE FEES (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: EXP.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITYLAPS	LAPS
2019-06-10	Information on status: patent discontinuationPATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362STCH	STCH
2018-12-24	Fee payment procedureMAINTENANCE FEE REMINDER MAILED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: REM.); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITYFEPP	FEPP
2014-11-10	Fee paymentFPAY	FPAY
2014-07-28	AssignmentAS	AS
2010-11-03	Fee paymentFPAY	FPAY
2007-04-18	Information on status: patent grantGrantedPATENTED CASESTCF	STCF
2004-01-20	AssignmentAS	AS
2003-08-24	AssignmentAS	AS